Cortland hires president of investment management

Build-to-rent developer Cortland has recruited a president of investment management to support growth in the US and internationally. Cortland has hired Jason Kern from LaSalle IM. Kern was previously chief executive of LaSalle’s Americas division for eight years, looking after $24bn of assets under management. Kern will drive expansion, organically and also through mergers and acquisitions. He will also oversee investment, capital markets and corporate finance functions. Cortland’s growth in the UK has been led through a number of company acquisitions. The company first entered the market in 2018 buying developer Orion Land and Leisure and its first site in Watford. Cortland bought property manager Liv Group in 2019 and added QDime last year, adding further block management capabilities, while also pursuing growth with a number of developments in the regions. Chief executive Steven DeFrancis said: “Jason’s depth of global experience gives us confidence that he will lead with an innovative and strategic mindset to help take Cortland to the next phase of our growth.”   To send feedback, e-mail emma.rosser@eg.co.uk or tweet @EmmaARosser or @EGPropertyNews Photo by Andrew Collings for LaSalle IM